Framery has introduced its newest product, Framery One. The first connected phone booth, it combines technology with the superior acoustics the Finnish company is known for. Video conferencing and remote work are now a regular part of our lives, so this debut couldn’t be more timely. Lasse Karvinen, head of products at Framery, discussed the latest pod, hybrid workplaces, and the next iteration of the open office.

Whether at home or the office, it’s difficult to find a quiet place to host a video call. From countless disruptions to trying to fit people into a cramped space, Zooming can often be counterproductive. With more on-screen time anticipated—and no signs of slowing—the Framery team was ready to meet this need. “We designed Framery One to be the ideal video conferencing environment. The pod’s design provides the optimal distance between the user, the screen, and the camera,” Karvinen said.
Framery One is not only soundproof, it also boasts a high-resolution touchscreen and seamless user interface, creating an all-encompassing, personal workstation. The user can control airflow and lighting, and booking the pod is hassle-free. An individual can integrate their calendar system to make reservations, or when the pod is free they can simply step inside and it is reserved automatically.
A message alerts the user when their allotted time is nearly up, and if there are not any other bookings, the pod will extend the session so the employee can continue working without interruption. The seat and table can easily be adjusted for maximum comfort, and additional features include wireless charging, a power outlet, and a USB port.

When we finally return to the office, we can expect to see companies embracing hybrid model workplaces. “Open offices won’t disappear, but they will have to support physical and virtual collaboration. It’s truly an activity-based concept,” said Karvinen. The post-pandemic office will have staff brainstorming, hosting virtual meetings, and engaging in more focused work, all within the span of a few hours.
Assigned desks, once a non-negotiable, may well be a thing of the past. Employees and their work settings are mobile, giving staff the freedom to go almost anywhere to complete their projects. A person may now go from home and office several times during the week, so flexible schedules and interiors are essential. “With laptops and mobile phones, the office is wherever you are. You can work from your main office, home, and then a third option like a co-working space,” Karvinen explained.
Yet for many workers, having a set desk or seating provides a sense of comfort. They still expect some type of personal space at the office, especially as we transition back after an extended period of remote work. “Many people want that feeling of security that a home base at the office gives them. Working with your closest colleagues in a team-based space can replace the need for your own desk,” Karvinen noted. By having specified areas for different groups, that will have the added benefit of helping people follow social distancing guidelines and limiting unnecessary contact with too many people in the workplace.
Staying in touch with team members and clients across the globe is a crucial element of business success. However, many rooms are outdated and not suited to teleconferencing. “The traditional meeting room was not designed for video calls or hybrid needs,” explained Karvinen. Corporate conference rooms may not have been made to accommodate today’s technology or work styles, but Framery’s product line was.

The company’s 2Q pod, for example, can hold four to six people, and was created specifically with teamwork in mind. “Originally our pods were designed for ad hoc meetings,” Karvinen noted. The idea was that co-workers could go into a pod to share ideas and then return to their own desks.
In our interactive world, Framery One allows a single user to still stay connected to a group, whether on the screen or at the other end of the room in a different pod. All of the products can be used singularly or in any combination, so Karvinen envisions a number of their booths being placed strategically throughout an open workplace.

Framery One gives the user a contained environment that minimizes distractions common in large, open interiors. “We want to have effective meetings, with noise reduction and better video quality, then we can improve productivity,” Karvinen noted. And while improved employee output is certainly the end goal, reducing the stress of work is also considered with every piece produced. Framery has long studied how factors like noise can contribute to our anxiety at the office, and it’s why they consistently surpass industry standards for exceptional sound insulation.
The pandemic has increased the anxiety of the collective, and companies have been forced to prioritize the physical and mental health of their staff. Specifiers are looking for products that promote wellness as much performance. Framery One is a compact job space, but a user can also take a break or have a few moments of quiet reflection inside if the pace gets too hectic. “Research shows when you go into one of our pods for just 10 minutes, your stress levels go down and you start to recharge,” Karvinen explained.

As employees strive to find the right balance between on-site and remote work, Karvinen suggested that a period of adjustment is necessary, with management accepting a bit of trial and error to find out the best solution for the majority. “I think people have more options to choose from now, but we have to really listen to people and understand that they have different preferences. What we do want is safety, security, and calm,” he said.
Even with the continued emphasis on telecommuting, Karvinen believes that the office will become a destination because we still want to interact with one another. With some adjustments to layout, and products like Framery One, our modes can be even better than they were before. “We’ll focus more on collaboration, and that’s our reason to come back to the office. We want to meet with people again,” he added.

